Vickery on the move

The England prop Phil Vickery is close to finalising a move to Wasps after ending his 11-year association with Gloucester. The west country club announced yesterday that they had failed to agree terms on a contract extension with the 30-year-old Cornishman, who is expected to become a Wasps player next week.

With Vickery still in rehabilitation after the third back operation of an injury-plagued career in which he made a mere 104 club appearances, Gloucester were reluctant to offer the big-money salary he has commanded in the past, forcing the 47-times capped forward to move on. "The hardest decision of my life was to leave home at 19 without a career in front of me," said Vickery. "The decision to leave Gloucester after 11 years is the second hardest of my life. I have given everything I possibly can for the club."

Vickery, who said the departure of several team-mates, including the now-retired Trevor Woodman, had influenced his decision, is now seeking a fresh start. "I want to be happy and I want my family to be happy. Money has never been an issue for me. The motivation to play has to come from within but to maintain that hunger it is time to assess my options."